Sometimes, bettering your career requires burning the midnight oil, or for welders, burning the midnight flame.
Beginning in May, Lone Star College-Conroe Center will offer late night welding classes from 10:15 p.m.-2:15 a.m., allowing students to gain additional welding skills or complete almost every class needed for the Welding Workforce Skills Award certificate after dark.
The late night offerings include Shielded Metal Arc Welding I and II, Gas Metal Arc I and II, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding I and II, and Shielded Metal Arc Pipe I and II, each offered two nights a week (either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday).
In addition, the same classes will be offered on Sundays, from 10 a.m.- 3p.m. (It takes eight weeks to complete one cohort.)
“With the high demand for skilled welders, the addition of the new Sunday and weekday late night welding classes will hopefully broaden our students’ skill base and accommodate those individuals who may work varied shifts and need an unordinary class schedule,” said Celyn Christophe Boykin, continuing education director. “It’s our intent to eliminate a scheduling barrier that will ultimately allow students to fulfill their goals to enter or elevate themselves in the workforce.”
LSC-Conroe Center offers extensive training in welding and welding-related skills, such as oxyfuel and plasma cutting, shielded metal arc welding (Stick), gas metal arc welding (MIG), gas tungsten arc welding (TIG), skills needed to weld to code, and industrial safety. Additionally, the program offers Math for Welders, Blueprint Reading for Welders, as well as Welding Inspector Prep courses.
“Employers in our area are looking for trained welders,” said Christophe Boykin. “As we train our students and help set them on an industry career track, were helping meet the need for our local manufacturers.”
According to America’s Career InfoNet Occupation Report, there will be a 15 percent increase in the welding field through 2020. In Texas, welders average $17 per hour (up to $28 with experience), plus overtime pay of time and a half.
The cost per two-course skill set is approximately $996, not including textbooks, personal protective equipment, or hand tools.
For more information on the welding program, visit LoneStar.edu/Career-Development, or call LSC-Conroe Center at (936) 521-4500.
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call 936.273.7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.
Lone Star College System has been opening doors to a better community for 40 years. Founded in 1973, LSCS remains steadfast in its commitment to student success and credential completion. Today, with 78,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and one of the fastest-growing community college systems in the nation. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, seven centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.